The Surva International Festival Of The Masquerade GamesDiscover the Surva festival, the largest traditional folklore event of this type in the Balkan Peninsula.21 pictures

A Kukeri performer checks the fit on his costume by shaking it around ahead of the start of the second and final day of the annual Surva International Festival of the Masquerade Games on January 29, 2017 in Pernik, Bulgaria. The two...More

A Kukeri performer checks the fit on his costume by shaking it around ahead of the...A Kukeri performer checks the fit on his costume by shaking it around ahead of the start of the second and final day of the annual Surva International Festival of the Masquerade Games on January 29, 2017 in Pernik, Bulgaria. The two day Surva festival is the largest traditional folklore events of this type across the whole Balkan Peninsula. Around 6000 people from every folklore region of Bulgaria, participate in the pagan event which sees masked Kukers, (mummers) and Survakari dancers, as well as costumed pagan dancers from across the wider region parade through the city streets. The Kukeri tradition is included in UNESCOÕs list of protected non-material cultural heritage.LessMore

Performers bang their bells together as they make their way to the town square for the first day of the annual Surva International Festival of the Masquerade Games on January 28, 2017 in Pernik, Bulgaria. The two day Surva festival is...More

Performers bang their bells together as they make their way to the town square for...Performers bang their bells together as they make their way to the town square for the first day of the annual Surva International Festival of the Masquerade Games on January 28, 2017 in Pernik, Bulgaria. The two day Surva festival is the largest traditional folklore events of this type across the whole Balkan Peninsula. Around 6000 people from every folklore region of Bulgaria, participate in the pagan event which sees masked Kukers, (mummers) and Survakari dancers, as well as costumed pagan dancers from across the wider region parade through the city streets. The Kukeri tradition is included in UNESCO's list of protected non-material cultural heritage.LessMore

Performing 'Mummers' pose for a photograph at the start of the second and final day of the annual Surva International Festival of the Masquerade Games on January 29, 2017 in Pernik, Bulgaria. The two day Surva festival is the largest...More

Performing 'Mummers' pose for a photograph at the start of the second and final day...Performing 'Mummers' pose for a photograph at the start of the second and final day of the annual Surva International Festival of the Masquerade Games on January 29, 2017 in Pernik, Bulgaria. The two day Surva festival is the largest traditional folklore events of this type across the whole Balkan Peninsula. Around 6000 people from every folklore region of Bulgaria, participate in the pagan event which sees masked Kukers, (mummers) and Survakari dancers, as well as costumed pagan dancers from across the wider region parade through the city streets. The Kukeri tradition is included in UNESCOÕs list of protected non-material cultural heritage.LessMore

Performing 'Mummers' line up at the start of the second and final day of the annual Surva International Festival of the Masquerade Games on January 29, 2017 in Pernik, Bulgaria. The two day Surva festival is the largest traditional...More

Performing 'Mummers' line up at the start of the second and final day of the annual...Performing 'Mummers' line up at the start of the second and final day of the annual Surva International Festival of the Masquerade Games on January 29, 2017 in Pernik, Bulgaria. The two day Surva festival is the largest traditional folklore events of this type across the whole Balkan Peninsula. Around 6000 people from every folklore region of Bulgaria, participate in the pagan event which sees masked Kukers, (mummers) and Survakari dancers, as well as costumed pagan dancers from across the wider region parade through the city streets. The Kukeri tradition is included in UNESCOÕs list of protected non-material cultural heritage.LessMore

A Kukeri group entertain a child as they wait to enter the town square to be judged on the second and final day of the annual Surva International Festival of the Masquerade Games on January 29, 2017 in Pernik, Bulgaria. The two day...More

A Kukeri group entertain a child as they wait to enter the town square to be judged...A Kukeri group entertain a child as they wait to enter the town square to be judged on the second and final day of the annual Surva International Festival of the Masquerade Games on January 29, 2017 in Pernik, Bulgaria. The two day Surva festival is the largest traditional folklore events of this type across the whole Balkan Peninsula. Around 6000 people from every folklore region of Bulgaria, participate in the pagan event which sees masked Kukers, (mummers) and Survakari dancers, as well as costumed pagan dancers from across the wider region parade through the city streets. The Kukeri tradition is included in UNESCO's list of protected non-material cultural heritage.LessMore

A man dressed as a Kukeri checks the fit on his costume by shaking it around ahead of the start of the second and final day of the annual Surva International Festival of the Masquerade Games on January 29, 2017 in Pernik, Bulgaria. The...More

A man dressed as a Kukeri checks the fit on his costume by shaking it around ahead...A man dressed as a Kukeri checks the fit on his costume by shaking it around ahead of the start of the second and final day of the annual Surva International Festival of the Masquerade Games on January 29, 2017 in Pernik, Bulgaria. The two day Surva festival is the largest traditional folklore events of this type across the whole Balkan Peninsula. Around 6000 people from every folklore region of Bulgaria, participate in the pagan event which sees masked Kukers, (mummers) and Survakari dancers, as well as costumed pagan dancers from across the wider region parade through the city streets. The Kukeri tradition is included in UNESCOÕs list of protected non-material cultural heritage.LessMore

Performing 'Mummers' dress ahead of the start of the second and final day of the annual Surva International Festival of the Masquerade Games on January 29, 2017 in Pernik, Bulgaria. The two day Surva festival is the largest traditional...More

Performing 'Mummers' dress ahead of the start of the second and final day of the...Performing 'Mummers' dress ahead of the start of the second and final day of the annual Surva International Festival of the Masquerade Games on January 29, 2017 in Pernik, Bulgaria. The two day Surva festival is the largest traditional folklore events of this type across the whole Balkan Peninsula. Around 6000 people from every folklore region of Bulgaria, participate in the pagan event which sees masked Kukers, (mummers) and Survakari dancers, as well as costumed pagan dancers from across the wider region parade through the city streets. The Kukeri tradition is included in UNESCOÕs list of protected non-material cultural heritage.LessMore

Performs make some final adjustments ahead of the start of the second and final day of the annual Surva International Festival of the Masquerade Games on January 29, 2017 in Pernik, Bulgaria. The two day Surva festival is the largest...More

Performs make some final adjustments ahead of the start of the second and final day...Performs make some final adjustments ahead of the start of the second and final day of the annual Surva International Festival of the Masquerade Games on January 29, 2017 in Pernik, Bulgaria. The two day Surva festival is the largest traditional folklore events of this type across the whole Balkan Peninsula. Around 6000 people from every folklore region of Bulgaria, participate in the pagan event which sees masked Kukers, (mummers) and Survakari dancers, as well as costumed pagan dancers from across the wider region parade through the city streets. The Kukeri tradition is included in UNESCOÕs list of protected non-material cultural heritage.LessMore

A young boy has his costume prepared ahead of the first day of the annual Surva International Festival of the Masquerade Games on January 28, 2017 in Pernik, Bulgaria. The two day Surva festival is the largest traditional folklore...More

A young boy has his costume prepared ahead of the first day of the annual Surva...A young boy has his costume prepared ahead of the first day of the annual Surva International Festival of the Masquerade Games on January 28, 2017 in Pernik, Bulgaria. The two day Surva festival is the largest traditional folklore events of this type across the whole Balkan Peninsula. Around 6000 people from every folklore region of Bulgaria, participate in the pagan event which sees masked Kukers, (mummers) and Survakari dancers, as well as costumed pagan dancers from across the wider region parade through the city streets. The Kukeri tradition is included in UNESCO's list of protected non-material cultural heritage.LessMore

The second and final day of the annual Surva International Festival of the Masquerade Games on January 29, 2017 in Pernik, Bulgaria. The two day Surva festival is the largest traditional folklore events of this type across the whole...More

The second and final day of the annual Surva International Festival of the...The second and final day of the annual Surva International Festival of the Masquerade Games on January 29, 2017 in Pernik, Bulgaria. The two day Surva festival is the largest traditional folklore events of this type across the whole Balkan Peninsula. Around 6000 people from every folklore region of Bulgaria, participate in the pagan event which sees masked Kukers, (mummers) and Survakari dancers, as well as costumed pagan dancers from across the wider region parade through the city streets. The Kukeri tradition is included in UNESCO's list of protected non-material cultural heritage.LessMore

Performers dance in the town square on the first day of the annual Surva International Festival of the Masquerade Games on January 28, 2017 in Pernik, Bulgaria. The two day Surva festival is the largest traditional folklore events of...More

Performers dance in the town square on the first day of the annual Surva...Performers dance in the town square on the first day of the annual Surva International Festival of the Masquerade Games on January 28, 2017 in Pernik, Bulgaria. The two day Surva festival is the largest traditional folklore events of this type across the whole Balkan Peninsula. Around 6000 people from every folklore region of Bulgaria, participate in the pagan event which sees masked Kukers, (mummers) and Survakari dancers, as well as costumed pagan dancers from across the wider region parade through the city streets. The Kukeri tradition is included in UNESCO's list of protected non-material cultural heritage.LessMore

Friends and members of a Kukeri group help each other dress ounder a tree on the second and final day of the annual Surva International Festival of the Masquerade Games on January 29, 2017 in Pernik, Bulgaria. The two day Surva...More

Friends and members of a Kukeri group help each other dress ounder a tree on the...Friends and members of a Kukeri group help each other dress ounder a tree on the second and final day of the annual Surva International Festival of the Masquerade Games on January 29, 2017 in Pernik, Bulgaria. The two day Surva festival is the largest traditional folklore events of this type across the whole Balkan Peninsula. Around 6000 people from every folklore region of Bulgaria, participate in the pagan event which sees masked Kukers, (mummers) and Survakari dancers, as well as costumed pagan dancers from across the wider region parade through the city streets. The Kukeri tradition is included in UNESCO's list of protected non-material cultural heritage.LessMore

Performers from a Kukeri group dress ahead of the start of the second and final day of the annual Surva International Festival of the Masquerade Games on January 29, 2017 in Pernik, Bulgaria. The two day Surva festival is the largest...More

Performers from a Kukeri group dress ahead of the start of the second and final day...Performers from a Kukeri group dress ahead of the start of the second and final day of the annual Surva International Festival of the Masquerade Games on January 29, 2017 in Pernik, Bulgaria. The two day Surva festival is the largest traditional folklore events of this type across the whole Balkan Peninsula. Around 6000 people from every folklore region of Bulgaria, participate in the pagan event which sees masked Kukers, (mummers) and Survakari dancers, as well as costumed pagan dancers from across the wider region parade through the city streets. The Kukeri tradition is included in UNESCO's list of protected non-material cultural heritage.LessMore

A performers from Macedonia dances while his team make their way to the town square for the first day of the annual Surva International Festival of the Masquerade Games on January 28, 2017 in Pernik, Bulgaria. The two day Surva...More

A performers from Macedonia dances while his team make their way to the town square...A performers from Macedonia dances while his team make their way to the town square for the first day of the annual Surva International Festival of the Masquerade Games on January 28, 2017 in Pernik, Bulgaria. The two day Surva festival is the largest traditional folklore events of this type across the whole Balkan Peninsula. Around 6000 people from every folklore region of Bulgaria, participate in the pagan event which sees masked Kukers, (mummers) and Survakari dancers, as well as costumed pagan dancers from across the wider region parade through the city streets. The Kukeri tradition is included in UNESCO's list of protected non-material cultural heritage.LessMore

Performers make their way to the town square for the first day of the annual Surva International Festival of the Masquerade Games on January 28, 2017 in Pernik, Bulgaria. The two day Surva festival is the largest traditional folklore...More

Performers make their way to the town square for the first day of the annual Surva...Performers make their way to the town square for the first day of the annual Surva International Festival of the Masquerade Games on January 28, 2017 in Pernik, Bulgaria. The two day Surva festival is the largest traditional folklore events of this type across the whole Balkan Peninsula. Around 6000 people from every folklore region of Bulgaria, participate in the pagan event which sees masked Kukers, (mummers) and Survakari dancers, as well as costumed pagan dancers from across the wider region parade through the city streets. The Kukeri tradition is included in UNESCO's list of protected non-material cultural heritage.LessMore

A Kukeri group enter the town square to be judged on the second and final day of the annual Surva International Festival of the Masquerade Games on January 29, 2017 in Pernik, Bulgaria. The two day Surva festival is the largest...More

A Kukeri group enter the town square to be judged on the second and final day of...A Kukeri group enter the town square to be judged on the second and final day of the annual Surva International Festival of the Masquerade Games on January 29, 2017 in Pernik, Bulgaria. The two day Surva festival is the largest traditional folklore events of this type across the whole Balkan Peninsula. Around 6000 people from every folklore region of Bulgaria, participate in the pagan event which sees masked Kukers, (mummers) and Survakari dancers, as well as costumed pagan dancers from across the wider region parade through the city streets. The Kukeri tradition is included in UNESCO's list of protected non-material cultural heritage.LessMore

Young performers make their way to the town square for the first day of the annual Surva International Festival of the Masquerade Games on January 28, 2017 in Pernik, Bulgaria. The two day Surva festival is the largest traditional...More

Young performers make their way to the town square for the first day of the annual...Young performers make their way to the town square for the first day of the annual Surva International Festival of the Masquerade Games on January 28, 2017 in Pernik, Bulgaria. The two day Surva festival is the largest traditional folklore events of this type across the whole Balkan Peninsula. Around 6000 people from every folklore region of Bulgaria, participate in the pagan event which sees masked Kukers, (mummers) and Survakari dancers, as well as costumed pagan dancers from across the wider region parade through the city streets. The Kukeri tradition is included in UNESCO's list of protected non-material cultural heritage.LessMore

Performers relax after the first day of the annual Surva International Festival of the Masquerade Games on January 28, 2017 in Pernik, Bulgaria. The two day Surva festival is the largest traditional folklore events of this type across...More

Performers relax after the first day of the annual Surva International Festival of...Performers relax after the first day of the annual Surva International Festival of the Masquerade Games on January 28, 2017 in Pernik, Bulgaria. The two day Surva festival is the largest traditional folklore events of this type across the whole Balkan Peninsula. Around 6000 people from every folklore region of Bulgaria, participate in the pagan event which sees masked Kukers, (mummers) and Survakari dancers, as well as costumed pagan dancers from across the wider region parade through the city streets. The Kukeri tradition is included in UNESCO's list of protected non-material cultural heritage.LessMore

A member of a Kukeri group takes the weight off his back as he waits to enter the town square to be judged on the second and final day of the annual Surva International Festival of the Masquerade Games on January 29, 2017 in Pernik,...More

A member of a Kukeri group takes the weight off his back as he waits to enter the...A member of a Kukeri group takes the weight off his back as he waits to enter the town square to be judged on the second and final day of the annual Surva International Festival of the Masquerade Games on January 29, 2017 in Pernik, Bulgaria. The two day Surva festival is the largest traditional folklore events of this type across the whole Balkan Peninsula. Around 6000 people from every folklore region of Bulgaria, participate in the pagan event which sees masked Kukers, (mummers) and Survakari dancers, as well as costumed pagan dancers from across the wider region parade through the city streets. The Kukeri tradition is included in UNESCO's list of protected non-material cultural heritage.LessMore

Performers wait in line to get to the town square to be judged on the first day of the annual Surva International Festival of the Masquerade Games on January 28, 2017 in Pernik, Bulgaria. The two day Surva festival is the largest...More

Performers wait in line to get to the town square to be judged on the first day of...Performers wait in line to get to the town square to be judged on the first day of the annual Surva International Festival of the Masquerade Games on January 28, 2017 in Pernik, Bulgaria. The two day Surva festival is the largest traditional folklore events of this type across the whole Balkan Peninsula. Around 6000 people from every folklore region of Bulgaria, participate in the pagan event which sees masked Kukers, (mummers) and Survakari dancers, as well as costumed pagan dancers from across the wider region parade through the city streets. The Kukeri tradition is included in UNESCO's list of protected non-material cultural heritage.LessMore

Petar walks with his costume ahead of the annual Surva International Festival of the Masquerade Games on January 27, 2017 in Pernik, Bulgaria. The two day Surva festival is the largest traditional folklore event of this type across the...More

Petar walks with his costume ahead of the annual Surva International Festival of...Petar walks with his costume ahead of the annual Surva International Festival of the Masquerade Games on January 27, 2017 in Pernik, Bulgaria. The two day Surva festival is the largest traditional folklore event of this type across the whole Balkan Peninsula. Around 6000 people from every folklore region of Bulgaria, participate in the pagan event which sees masked Kukers, (mummers) and Survakari dancers, as well as costumed pagan dancers from across the wider region parade through the city streets. The Kukeri tradition is included in UNESCO's list of protected non-material cultural heritage.LessMore